New Theater Room Help


Hi All,

I need to jump in and ask for help on something I know very little about. We just moved to Michigan and have purchased a spec home that is about a month away from completion. The builder has laid out a theater room in the basement and run some basic wiring for speakers.

The room is 11 feet wide by 15.5 feet deep with 8 foot ceilings. There is no problem with getting the room dark. It can be pitch black. The room is a little smaller than I would have liked, but the builder has done a beautiful job with wall panels and decorative moldings. The room will have acoustic tile ceilings and carpeting on the floor. I'll work on the acoustics separately, but I need some help on layout before we put the ceiling in.

I am much more into audio than video and will have a separate room for my audio listening. I do not need audiophile quality in the theater room right now as I am spending most of my cash on the house. But I would like to get the room set up.

Here's the help I need:

1) Based upon my room size, what size of screen do I get and how about some projector recommendations?

2) The door to the room is in the rear against one of the side walls, so I can't mount a speaker on the right rear wall. I'm guessing that means I'll have to use ceiling speakers or suspend some from the ceiling.

I have a set of Magnepan MGIIIa's lying around unused. Can these be used? If they would be too hard to blend in, I'd like some good speaker recommendations--front, side, rear, and sub(s). I do have a good Energy speaker I could use for the center for now. I'm okay going used. I'd like something good, but like I mentioned, audiophile is not important right now.

3) I have a workable 5.1 source. I'm inclined to use it for now. I'll run wires for a seven channel setup but may not add the amp right now. Unless you have some affordable recommendations.

I guess what I'd really like to do is spend the money necessary to get a good projector. I'd probably pick up either some good used speakers or okay new ones that could be swapped out when I decide to upgrade the audio. I'll just use my existing 5.1 amp and player for now. This should get me started.

Whatever you can do to help out with speakers and placement as well as projecter, placement, and screen size would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

Ken
iflyfisher

Showing 1 response by flrnlamb

First, I'd stay away from acoustical tiles on the ceiling, definitely! Your small acoustic space (and that's still small) needs more diffusion, not absorption in the mid/high's, with the limited bass absorption pressent in your room, Basically, it's going to be too warm sounding, and a bit dead. YOu do however need to treat ceiling reflections between you and speakers, unless you either sit closer, or use more controlled dispersion (vetical) speaker designs, which the Maggies are.
Still, I'd NOT use the Maggies with your receiver, as Maggies are low efficiency, low sensitivity, limited in dynamics(not what good HT needs), etc.
If I knew your receiver, I could make more solid recommendations for cheap.
However, in general, lower model KLipsch horn speakers are very dynamic, easy to driver, controlled focused, and make great home theater speakers for little! They also make acoustics more managable with their controlled dispersion.
In short, the dynamics will be 3x's stronger with something like Klipsch SB-1's or RB-25's or whatever, yes! And this IS an HT system, right? These speakers are also pretty clear and uncolred from my recollection.
As for the PJ, I'd go with cheap DLP for now, or a Sony LCD S51(best black level of LCD's out, marginally acceptable).
However, my first choice is the bargain on "used" CRT projectors right now, either mounted on ceiling in a box, or in an enclosure between the front seats on the floor. This IS THE BEST PICTURE you'll ever get for any reasonable money, period!
Case in point: You can get an 8" CRT pj for around $2500 with minty tubes, that will last you years, and give you a world class picture for as cheap as possible.
If it where my money, and I was using your receiver, I'd go used CRT, maybe Barco 801 or better Sony G70 on the high end for $3500 range used. OTherwise, I'd look into NEC PG9200 or whatever. World class pics here folks
Down side is these are bulky, and need tweaking.
As for back door on back wall, you can do 6.1 set up just fine there.
Actually, I think 7.1 setups are recommended with two speakers right next to each other in teh middle back anyway. So this should work.
Good luck